UFC Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

Cain Velasquez, Dominick Cruz, Tito Ortiz, Ricco Rodriguez, Miguel
Torres, Frank Mir – the list of Hispanic champions past and present does not
lack for names, and is only poised to grow.

From September 15 to October 15, America celebrates Hispanic
Heritage Month, designed to honor the cultural contributions of Hispanics and
Latin Americans. And UFC joins in the festivities with special programming on
UFCLatino.com and UFC on Demand. Check your cable operator’s VOD offerings for
free all-Spanish programming, plus 14 remarkable fights for only 99 cents each.

Two current of the seven current UFC champions are American
born with Mexican blood -- Dominick Cruz and Cain Velasquez. Heavyweight Velasquez’
Mexican heritage is so ingrained in his identity that he walks out to a Mexican
ranchero, a song that mirrors the story of his father’s frequent journeys
across the border in search of a better life.

So what makes Hispanic fighters different? As Cain has said,
they always fight their hearts out.

Besides its heaviest and lightest titleholders, the UFC has
several notable Hispanic fighters. And with the addition of the bantamweight
(135 pound) and featherweight (145 pound) divisions, UFC president Dana White
recently told journalists that he believes Latinos will dominate those divisions
in the near future, as they have done for years in boxing.

The vast Hispanic diaspora can be seen on the
UFC’s diverse roster, featuring athletes descended from El Salvador, Mexico,
Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Cuba and more.
Here, a quien es quien of Hispanic fighters:

* Peruvian-American Kenny Florian also emerged
from TUF 1, and after fighting in a record four different weight classes, is
preparing to battle for the featherweight title at UFC 136 on October 8th.
TUF 12 fan favorite Alex Caceres – better known as “Bruce Leeroy” – was born to
Cuban-Dominican parents in Miami.

* Another third generation star is Carlos Condit,
who will fight against the dominant Georges St-Pierre in the main event of UFC
137 on October 29th in Las Vegas. In the co-main event on that same fight card
is former Strikeforce welterweight champion Nick Diaz, older brother of Nate.

Chad Mendes continues to train hard in Sacramento, motivated by the magnitude of the upcoming event. His opponent Conor McGregor does the same in Las Vegas, capping his day with a big-city display of fireworks.

06/07/2015

Chad Mendes trades the gym for a pool to test his endurance. Conor McGregor enjoys a poolside massage and adds a few unexpected weapons to his arsenal. Plus, Robbie Lawler and Rory MacDonald do some final prep at home.

05/07/2015

Headliner Conor McGregor heads to Los Angeles for an appearance on Conan. In Sacramento, Chad Mendes discovers that his phone number has been published. Back in Vegas, McGregor gets in some training, and Mendes watches his foe’s late-night appearance.